Pitman High School senior Ashlyn Inman accepts a first place award for public speaking at the Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference in Anaheim in June.

Speaking eloquently in a professional setting can be nerve-wrecking, even for some of the business world's top leaders. But not for Pitman High senior Ashlyn Inman.

Inman took first place at the Future Business Leaders of America's National Leadership Conference, held in Anaheim in June.

“It was an incredible and surreal feeling to know I took first place in a national competition,” said Inman. “I’ve been working very hard and it feels amazing knowing that all of my hard work paid off.”

Inman, who is president of Pitman's FBLA school chapter, took first place in the public speaking portion of the competition, beating out 70 contestants from across the country and students from Puerto Rico and China. The NLC included over 9,000 competitors for all events.

“I could not have won this competition without the support and mentoring of our school’s advisor, Shawne Arnold,” said Inman. “She inspired me to do better and encouraged me to aim higher. She’s the reason why our club functions.”

FBLA is a nonprofit student organization committed to preparing students for success in business leadership.